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Connecting Mics to PCs

G

GJSNeptune

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Mar 31, 2004
Messages
12,372
What would I need to connect a standard XLR microphone to my computer? I Googled and came up with stuff like XLR to 1\4" connectors, and maybe 1\8" connectors, but I was wondering also what the best way to do it is. Would a hardware device be better than buying an adapter to plug in an XLR mic into a sound card's 1\8" port?

Then I was reading about all this impedance stuff, and electricty, current, amps, volts, etc. confuse the hell out of me.
 
I've used XLR connections a few times, however, they just plugged right into my delta 1010lt (it has xlr connections).

What type of audio card are you using? Do you do alot of recording?
 
All Reet 74 said:
What type of audio card are you using? Do you do alot of recording?
Click to expand...
I have my Audigy 2 ZS as well as Soundstorm from the motherboard.

I use Soundforge with my cheap Labtec PC mic. I'd like to try an XLR mic and how it would sound.
 
Well, if you're willing to look at a mic with something other than an xlr connection, you could be ok with you current set up. When I need to record vocals, I usually end up using my stereo cardiod mics that have a 1/8th connection. I do it simiply because its easy and the results are good enough for me.

But, if you're going to get serious into recording and an xlr connection will be used alot, I'd certainly reccomend looking into a new audio card. Hell, even if you're not going to use an xlr mic and you plan on going into recording, the A2 just wont work well.

With all of this said--

You could just buy an XLR to 1/8th cable like this: http://www.sloca.com/default.asp?productid=3045 and you'd be fine. Plug it into your A2 and your results should be just fine.

BUT, if you're seriously into recording and you have cash to spend-- I'd definitely reccomend a new audio card.

Hope that all isnt too contradictory or too confusing :cool:
 
Mister X said:
A DI box.
Do you need phantom power as well?
Click to expand...

A DI would be a waste of money IMO. You would also have to turn around the XLR because for a DI to work in this case you would have to run the audio backwards through the DI. All those adapters are doing is taking pins 1 and 3 of the XLR and bonding them to the sleeve in the 1/8" connector. Pin 2 becomes the tip. You can easily build your own for $10 or less.

If you need phantom power, you will need to buy a phantom power supply and put it between your adapter and the mic. There is no way to pass phantom power through an unbalanced connection which means that typical computer sound cards are not capable of supplying it.
 
GJSNeptune said:
A what?

And...what?
Click to expand...


DI - Direct Injection or Direct Input box. Used to convert unbalanced signals such as a guitar to a balanced XLR connection in order to send the signal over relatively long distances without noise.

Phantom Power - 48 volts sent through the XLR from a mixing console or power supply to power condenser mics and active DI's. It's called phantom power because it is basically invisible to dynamic mics.
 
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